Personally I would try to get whatever insurance pay out I could get and relocate as quickly as possible out of southern CA. This does assume I’d have no important obligations forcing me to stay there. I can’t imagine investing years and all the struggles you list just to rebuild. The other issue is that the threat of fires in vulnerable areas of California will probably only increase given the political priorities there.
Don't take this too seriously but are you the retirement police? I mean you are certainly entitled to your opinion of what retirement but why is it so important to prove others wrong in they way they've defined their retirements? I really enjoy hearing others share their journeys after retiring from the careers they've had for 30 or 40 years. I think even the word retirement means very little. In my "retirement" I don't actually earn income but pursue several volunteer activities, hike at least a couple days a month, play competitive tennis, read a couple of books a week, spend time at the gym, do a lot of the cooking and housework while my wife continues in her career. I would still enjoy all of these activities even if someone were paying me to do them. This state of being is very different than the work I did for 35 years for a large corporation - while I enjoyed my career, the degree of freedom, interest and passion was no where near what I live now. So yes many people retire from jobs or careers that they performed for decades and yet go on to do things they love and earn some money.
Sure, let go of the 1950's definition of retirement. Working part time, pursuing something you truly enjoy, or starting a small business like 3 months of tax work each year is certainly a great way to wind down from a stressful fulltime career and improve your financial health. There is no law that stipulates you can never earn income again after you retire.
Great points. Especially the point about those over 40 being more responsible for anything we don't like in the present. I also think we tend to glamorize and revise our own histories. Forgetting some of our own mistakes and weaknesses. I think the world is actually a harder more complicated place for those under 40. As you say, I'm not sure I would be as successful if I was coming of age in this decade. I really admire the young people I see who are working hard and facing these challenges.
Disappointed this forum seems to be trending towards a political blog. I see some comments about how this discussion is necessary due to its impact on your portfolio. Poor excuse for airing political grievances on what is supposed to be a retirement blog. Folks, are you not getting enough political opinions/arguments on TV, online and in the mail from this current election cycle. Do you all really want to argue about your political opinions here when many of us just want a place to talk about retirement issues? Also do you really think you are going to change anyone's mind on who they are going to vote for? Take a deep breath, life will go on regardless of who or what party seems to have won the next election.
This is a great retirement forum and while I think politics are obviously important, I think political discussion should be pursued in other places. Some of you couldn't help making your own political opinions known. Don't we have enough of this in our lives?
Agree that things were very different for most of the readers of Humbledollar but lets be honest on how we as a country got to this place of debt and lifestyle creep. Our generation has been calling most of the shots since the 1980's. If there is anyone to blame its us. Criticizing younger generations that our struggling right now is punching down as someone alluded to. I would argue life is much harder for the younger generations. Not because they have to walk 10 miles to school like we did uphill both ways but because we've left them with a crushing national debt, unhealthy food, technology that has fragmented our culture, and solutions that were relevant 50 years ago but just give us more of the same now. Lets all hope our kids and grandkids figure out how to fix the mess we've created.
I read humble dollar every morning. Reminds me of things I already know but sometimes gives me new information or ways to look at financial concepts or issues. Thanks
Mike - inspiring story and I love your words on connecting with your younger self - pushing yourself to your limits etc. I try to do the same thing. This past October I hike something called the Pemi Loop wilderness in the White Mountains in NH. Involved approximately 12,000 feet of elevation gain over 3 days and about 35 miles on extremely rugged terrain - felt like my feet didn't get off rock for three days. I would start hiking by 8am and finish around 6pm each night with maybe an hour of downtime. It pushed me to the edge, but I felt like a rebel the whole time. The fall colors were gorgeous, and the views were million dollar!!!!
Comments
Personally I would try to get whatever insurance pay out I could get and relocate as quickly as possible out of southern CA. This does assume I’d have no important obligations forcing me to stay there. I can’t imagine investing years and all the struggles you list just to rebuild. The other issue is that the threat of fires in vulnerable areas of California will probably only increase given the political priorities there.
Post: Would You Rebuild?
Link to comment from January 12, 2025
Don't take this too seriously but are you the retirement police? I mean you are certainly entitled to your opinion of what retirement but why is it so important to prove others wrong in they way they've defined their retirements? I really enjoy hearing others share their journeys after retiring from the careers they've had for 30 or 40 years. I think even the word retirement means very little. In my "retirement" I don't actually earn income but pursue several volunteer activities, hike at least a couple days a month, play competitive tennis, read a couple of books a week, spend time at the gym, do a lot of the cooking and housework while my wife continues in her career. I would still enjoy all of these activities even if someone were paying me to do them. This state of being is very different than the work I did for 35 years for a large corporation - while I enjoyed my career, the degree of freedom, interest and passion was no where near what I live now. So yes many people retire from jobs or careers that they performed for decades and yet go on to do things they love and earn some money.
Post: Bridge the Gap
Link to comment from November 14, 2024
Sure, let go of the 1950's definition of retirement. Working part time, pursuing something you truly enjoy, or starting a small business like 3 months of tax work each year is certainly a great way to wind down from a stressful fulltime career and improve your financial health. There is no law that stipulates you can never earn income again after you retire.
Post: Bridge the Gap
Link to comment from November 14, 2024
Great points. Especially the point about those over 40 being more responsible for anything we don't like in the present. I also think we tend to glamorize and revise our own histories. Forgetting some of our own mistakes and weaknesses. I think the world is actually a harder more complicated place for those under 40. As you say, I'm not sure I would be as successful if I was coming of age in this decade. I really admire the young people I see who are working hard and facing these challenges.
Post: Those Who Follow by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from November 1, 2024
Disappointed this forum seems to be trending towards a political blog. I see some comments about how this discussion is necessary due to its impact on your portfolio. Poor excuse for airing political grievances on what is supposed to be a retirement blog. Folks, are you not getting enough political opinions/arguments on TV, online and in the mail from this current election cycle. Do you all really want to argue about your political opinions here when many of us just want a place to talk about retirement issues? Also do you really think you are going to change anyone's mind on who they are going to vote for? Take a deep breath, life will go on regardless of who or what party seems to have won the next election.
Post: Stay Informed by Marjorie Kondrack
Link to comment from October 3, 2024
you articulated my point better than I could. thanks
Post: Stay Informed by Marjorie Kondrack
Link to comment from October 2, 2024
This is a great retirement forum and while I think politics are obviously important, I think political discussion should be pursued in other places. Some of you couldn't help making your own political opinions known. Don't we have enough of this in our lives?
Post: Stay Informed by Marjorie Kondrack
Link to comment from October 2, 2024
Agree that things were very different for most of the readers of Humbledollar but lets be honest on how we as a country got to this place of debt and lifestyle creep. Our generation has been calling most of the shots since the 1980's. If there is anyone to blame its us. Criticizing younger generations that our struggling right now is punching down as someone alluded to. I would argue life is much harder for the younger generations. Not because they have to walk 10 miles to school like we did uphill both ways but because we've left them with a crushing national debt, unhealthy food, technology that has fragmented our culture, and solutions that were relevant 50 years ago but just give us more of the same now. Lets all hope our kids and grandkids figure out how to fix the mess we've created.
Post: How did it all work for us? Why not now?
Link to comment from September 26, 2024
I read humble dollar every morning. Reminds me of things I already know but sometimes gives me new information or ways to look at financial concepts or issues. Thanks
Post: A Difficult Year
Link to comment from January 7, 2023
Mike - inspiring story and I love your words on connecting with your younger self - pushing yourself to your limits etc. I try to do the same thing. This past October I hike something called the Pemi Loop wilderness in the White Mountains in NH. Involved approximately 12,000 feet of elevation gain over 3 days and about 35 miles on extremely rugged terrain - felt like my feet didn't get off rock for three days. I would start hiking by 8am and finish around 6pm each night with maybe an hour of downtime. It pushed me to the edge, but I felt like a rebel the whole time. The fall colors were gorgeous, and the views were million dollar!!!!
Post: My Ironman Triathlon
Link to comment from December 23, 2022